Feud over OH high court 'rapist' ad intensifies

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Ohio Republican Party refused again Monday to pull down a political ad that accuses a Democratic candidate for state Supreme Court of sympathizing with rapists.

Former appellate judge Bill O'Neill engaged former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (BROO'-ner) over the weekend to wage a legal fight over the spot airing statewide.

O'Neill threatened the GOP and Chairman Bob Bennett with a defamation lawsuit on Monday. Party director Matt Borges (BOHR'-jiss) responded with a "spare me" and announced the party had launched an anti-O'Neill website.

The controversial commercial says O'Neill displayed "sympathy for rapists." The claim is based on a 2000 appellate decision where O'Neill wrote both the rape victim and alleged perpetrator are harmed when rape accusations arise.